August nature walk, emerald ash borer, tiger swallowtail butterflies, bull thistle, duck potato, spicebush, shelf fungi

Saturday, August 18, turned out to be a perfect day for the monthly nature walk at Government Island.  Naturalists Kristen and Maria took a group for a trip around the Island in near perfect summer weather.  First we stopped at an ash tree to learn about the emerald ash borer and view one of the "purple kite" monitoring stations that has been placed in an ash tree at Government Island.  These unwelcome insects have been found in Stafford and pose an environmental hazard to the ash trees in our county.  If you have ash trees on your property, you need to read about the emerald ash borer and report any infestation to the extension office at the Rowser Building.  They will direct your info to the correct people. 

Thistle is coming into bloom in the fields near the parking lot at this time of year.  It is a favorite of black swallowtail and tiger striped swallowtails.  At one point today I counted over 21 butterflies on this one plant.  As summer progresses, watch for the goldfinches coming to the thistle plant for fibers to line their nests and thistle seed to feed the chicks.  I have already noticed an increase of goldfinch activity in the area.  Later in the winter this area is a favorite place for a variety of species of sparrows.

Along the path that follows Austin Run look for the spice bushes, Lindera benzoin, displaying their bright red berries.  This plant is a member of the same family as the Sassafras family.  But don't wait long, or else the birds will eat the fruit.

As you get out towards the marsh, peak over the boardwalk railing, on the right,and look for the bloom of the duck potato plant, Sagittaria latifolia,  I have been waiting for this one to come into bloom, as I had never seen it before.  It was a real treat to see some beautiful specimens in bloom today.  They weren't there five days ago, and I am not sure how long they will be in bloom.  One more reason to frequently visit Government Island.

Today we noticed quite a few mushrooms sprouting up along the path.  As the forest gets moister, this trend should increase.  Remember...even the experts aren't always sure what is edible and what isn't.  Be safe and DO NOT EAT WILD MUSHROOMS.  We did spot a very pretty example of a shelf fungi.  This beauty is new to me and I have no idea which of the thousands of kinds of fungi it could be.  Most shelf fungi are not poisonous, they just aren't palatable.  Usually they are quit chewy, with some being almost wood-like.

Our next walk should be September 15.  We will watch the park and see what is happening, and pick the time of day depending on the weather patterns, either a morning or afternoon walk.  Hope to see you.

Maria C., Central Rappahannock Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists

Drought continues, praying mantid, thistle, Eastern tiger swallowtail

This week has seen no rain, again, at Government Island.  The vernal pool is not even mud anymore.  Just plain dry.  No wonder a true vernal pool does not have a viable fish population.  I am posting a photo of the pond near the parking lot.  The photo has changed a lot from last week's observation.  A few more dry days and there will no water connecting the upper portion of the pond to the lower portion.

However, even with the dry weather, there is always lots to see at Government Island.  On the milkweed in the field by the parking lot I found a lovely praying mantid.  Using my observation skills as I scanned the field I noticed something that just didn't profile correctly.  When you go out to enjoy nature, look for things that don't fit into what you should be observing.  Most likely it will be some interesting find.  The insect made the shape of the plant tops not curve correctly, and "tada!"  There was a wonderful sighting of a praying mantid.

I was excited to observe the first of this summer's thistles in bloom.  Apart from great photo opportunities when the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies land on them, thistle reminds me that goldfinch breeding time is approaching.  Goldfinches line their nests with the fibers of the thistle seed head.  Then they feed their young with the fresh thistle seed.  Watch for the birds getting busy as August leads into September and the goldfinches get really busy there in the fields by the parking lot. 

Hope to see some of you at the next nature walk on Saturday, August 18, at 4:00.  Meet in the parking lot.

Maria C., Naturalist, Central Rappahannock Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists

It's Almost Time to Go Back to School

Now I know this is usually the last thing that you child would want to hear, but it is almost time to go back to school. However, this does not mean that there is no longer any time for fun. By taking a trip to visit Government Island, your child can have fun, and perhaps not even realizing that they are learning.

Government Island has a wealth of various animals and plants, making it an excellent place to demonstrate how the ecological cycle works, what a habitat is, and plant and animal life cycles. And that's only to name just a few topics that are often covered on in both the classroom material and the SOLs. The island is also a wonderful place to connect to topics in history, such as the birth of the nation, slavery, changes in technology over time, and Virginia history.

I'm hoping that eventually we will have various lesson plans and materials in subjects such as science and history for at least the K-5 levels, which we will make available on the blog so that parents and teachers can use it.

Come and visit Government Island before the school year begins (don't worry it will still be open after that) and help your child to learn and explore...without ever having to mention that you're preparing them for their classes!

If you want, come join Maria C. on Saturday, August 18 at 4:00 for a free guided nature hike.

Rock Rimmon: Another sandstone quarrry

Recently, in the Chesapeake Bay Journal, Dr. Kent Mountford wrote an article for its July/ 
August edition entitled “Aquia Freestone: the backbone of our capital’s majestic architecture.”

He talked about another Stafford quarry called Rock Rimmon.  Located south of Government Island on Aquia Creek’s eastern shore, it produced sandstone when more stone was needed for the U.S. Capitol in 1804. The quarry closed, but years later reopened in 1925 and was renamed the George Washington Stone Corporation. 

The picture shown here is of workers in 1929.  It was given to me by Wilbur Segar whose father was the foreman, the tall gentleman in the back row.  Notice the quarrying machinery in the background.  This method was much different from the hand quarrying method used on Government Island.    

Jane C., historian

Free family fun, blue crab sighting, barred owl

If you haven't discovered Government Island yet...What's holding you up?  It is the best deal in the county for free family fun...and it gets the kids outside.  I recently had some of my many grandchildren visiting and we trekked over to the Island to take care of some.  The stroller friendly wooden boardwalk is safe for all ages.  It is shaded most of the time, making it comfortable even on the hottest summer days.  The only thing to watch out for is the occasional poison ivy vine that hangs close.  Just remember...leaves of three, leave it be.

I didn't get a photo, but I have it from a reliable eye-witness that blue crabs have moved into the waters at Government Island.  Most likely the salinity level is up due to the drought.  Please don't catch them.  Fishing isn't really allowed at GI.

While on the boardwalk, keep your eyes open.  Just a partial list of what can be seen includes:  deer, beaver, muskrat, turtles, snakes, osprey, bald eagles, woodpeckers (at least 5 kinds!), dragonflies, butterflies...I could go on and on.  And just last evening, my husband spotted the resident barred owl.  He flies on silent wings, but if you have ever heard a bared owl, you won't forget that sound.  Think of a scary movie around Halloween time when the unseen monster is about to attack.  Early evening is the best time to spot the owl.  After a nice sleep somewhere in his favorite tree, he comes out for some serious night time hunting.

So grab your shoes and a bottle of water and get outside with the family for a free, fun, healthy experience.

And join us on Saturday, August 18 at 4:00 for a free guided nature hike.

Maria C., naturalist